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I try really hard to have an organic household. I find that I can even do it on a budget. The trick is – I don’t buy many things that are in a box – basically just sticking to lots of fruits and veggies. I find that it’s the boxed items at Whole Foods that are the most expensive. My problem is that the closest Whole Foods or Trader Joes is 45 minutes across town – I find it hard to make in there every week.

{Before I go further – here is the deal – Like anything there is research the supports both sides of the argument. You will find research that says pesticides are fine and consumption is within the “allowed” range – then you will find research that says that they are the root of a whole host of problems. It’s your choice which side you believe. The latter is more believable to me – go with your gut.}

In a rush this week I swung into Sam’s Club and picked up some fruit. I typically stay clear of Sam’s because they are known for coating their fruits in wax – thus locking in the pesticides. Against my better judgment I stop and buy fruit anyway — And this is what I bring home.

Are you kidding me! What’s wrong with just plain fruit without all the junk. The use of pesticides – yuk! But that’s a whole other post someday. Wax on food prolongs the shelf life of fruits and veggies – Ok I understand why a grocery store would want that – It makes the produce look pretty – BUT the only way to actually remove the wax is by peeling the product. Washing will not remove the wax, which means that you are unable to get any of the pesticides off the product. Not so good!

Dr. Oz recommended Produce Wash

1 cup vinegar

1 cup water

½ squeezed lemon

1 Tbsp baking soda

Mix and pour into spray bottle. Spray on fruit or veggie and let sit for 5 minutes and then rinse well with water. This solution does a nice job of removing grime and pesticides if you don’t buy organic. But remember if the food is waxed you might as well not even wash it at all.

Buying organic ensures the most safety from all the nasty chemicals but it’s not always feasible.

Here are the 13 most pesticide-laced foods.

Apples

Celery (60 different pesticides)

Peaches

Spinach (nearly 50 different pesticides)

Grapes (more than 30 different pesticides)

Nectarines (33 pesticides detected)

Potatoes (more than 35 pesticides)

Blueberries (more than 50 pesticides)

Kale and Collard Greens

Potatoes (more than 35 pesticides)

Strawberries (60 different pesticides)

Lettuce (more than 50 pesticides)

Sweet Bell Peppers (nearly 50 different pesticides)

Here are the 14 most “clean” veggies. So clean that you don’t need to buy organic. However, when buying organic is possible it is nice to support organic farmers.

Onions

Sweet Corn

Pineapple

Avocado

Sweet Peas

Mango

Eggplant

Cantaloupe

Kiwi

Cabbage

Watermelon

Sweet Potatoes

Grapefruit

Mushrooms

These foods are the most waxed:

Cucumbers

Bell Peppers

Eggplant

Potatoes

Apples (smell the stem. If you can’t smell apple then you know it’s waxed